Published on 01 June 2026
One of Banyule’s most diverse and well-loved shopping centres is getting a lift and the only ones who may not like it are the pigeons.
The Bell Street Mall Multicultural Business Precinct Revitalisation Project is a joint Business Victoria and Banyule City Council initiative aimed at upgrading key spaces and highlighting the Mall's unique multicultural character to support local businesses. The project is funded by a $250,000 Business Victoria grant, with an additional $70,000 provided by Banyule City Council.
We conducted community consultation throughout 2025 and the Bell Street Mall Masterplan was adopted in December. We continue to work with the Bell Street Mall Traders’ Association, shop owners and community organisations to ensure the works reflect their needs and priorities. This project is the first step on a journey to again establish the mall as a thriving local destination, building on its history and celebrating the diverse local community, while addressing key issues such as community safety.
The project covers improvements to signage, shopfronts, seating and lighting. New murals will add colour and celebrate the community, while an improvement program will create fresh and welcoming shopfronts along the mall.
We know over-friendly pigeons and their droppings have been an ongoing problem in The Mall, so we are also pigeon-proofing key areas to keep the birds out.
Most improvement works are planned for the latter half of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027, with all works scheduled for completion by March 2027.